Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA) President & CEO Bryan Stubbs and Deputy Director of Programs & Partnerships Max Herzog recently traveled to Duluth, Minnesota, to strengthen growing relationships with partners across the region. Hosted by the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) and its Large Lakes Observatory (LLO), the visit focused on identifying collaborative opportunities to advance maritime and freshwater technology across the Great Lakes basin, including a role for the RENEW NSF Engine Connected Testbed Network.

Building Multi-Sector Partnerships in Duluth

During the trip, Cleveland Water Alliance met with academic, public, and regional industry leaders to discuss cross-regional collaboration across applied research, maritime operations, and infrastructure opportunities. A key focus of these discussions was Lake Superior’s distinct physical environment. Unlike Lake Erie, Lake Superior features ocean-like depths and significantly lower water temperatures. These unique characteristics could offer innovators new opportunities to test their water technologies under challenging, deep-water conditions.  

CWA spent their time engaging directly with local stakeholders to better understand regional research priorities and operational needs. Discussions with UMD Chancellor Charles Nies, Swenson College of Science & Engineering Dean Wendy Reed, the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI), and Minnesota Sea Grant focused on supporting maritime technology initiatives. Our team also toured the R/V Blue Heron, the only U.S. Academic Fleet vessel operating on the Great Lakes, and met with the Duluth Port Authority and local industry leaders during a roundtable focused on water management needs. Additionally, CWA toured and met with Resource Renew to discuss utility operational needs and potential technology testing. Resource Renew is a regional water resource recovery facility that treats roughly 40 million gallons of wastewater daily, featuring a unique 50/50 split between industrial and residential intake.

Strengthening the Great Lakes Innovation Ecosystem

We appreciate the Large Lakes Observatory at the University of Minnesota Duluth and other regional organizations for hosting our team and showcasing their impactful work. The innovative research and infrastructure in Duluth present a strong foundation for future collaboration. CWA looks forward to continuing growing these relationships, exploring new ways to expand our testbed network and support the next generation of freshwater solutions.